The Israeli embassy in Argentina on Tuesday announced the "suspension" of Saturday's match with its national team, citing what it called "threats and provocations" against Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. The sold-out game in Jerusalem was hotly opposed by Palestinians, who claim the eastern part of the city, annexed by Israel, as the capital of their future state. He said the sole aim of opponents of the Jerusalem game was "to strike at our basic right to self-defence and to bring about the destruction of Israel". "As far as I know, the players of the national team were not willing to play the game," Faurie said. Rajoub told journalists he had written to Argentina's government asking that Messi not take part in the June 9 friendly.

Source: Daily Nation June 06, 2018 04:52 UTC